The use of supplemental nurses: why, where, how?

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Staffing Solutions

Background:

• Maintaining adequate nursing staff is a persistent challenge in healthcare.
• Supplemental nurses from labor pool agencies are utilized to address staffing shortages.
• The use of agency nurses presents both advantages and potential drawbacks for healthcare facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utilization of nurses from supplemental staffing agencies.
• To identify the benefits and challenges associated with employing agency nurses.
• To inform directors of nursing services about factors critical for maintaining quality nursing care when using supplemental staff.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a statewide survey.
• Collected data on the use of nurses from supplemental staffing agencies.

Main Results:

• Identified specific benefits of using supplemental nursing staff.
• Highlighted potential problems and risks associated with agency nurse employment.
• Provided insights into how these factors impact the quality of patient care.

Conclusions:

• Supplemental staffing agencies offer a viable solution for addressing nursing shortages.
• Healthcare facilities must proactively manage the integration of agency nurses to mitigate risks.
• Awareness of potential issues is crucial for directors of nursing to ensure consistent, high-quality patient care.